#11: Get Proper Tree & Shrub Care

Palm trees can be a great addition to a yard. They can frame a space or be ornamental when standing alone. Many varieties are ideal for planting in southwest Florida:

Buccaneer

Cabbage

Florida thatch

Keys thatch

Needle

Paurotis

Royal

Saw palms

The most common concern for homeowners with palm trees is pruning. A properly pruned palm should have a nice crown of fronds – not just one or two sticking straight up towards the sky.

Avoid the temptation to over-prune, which can leave your trees vulnerable to disease and palm weevils. This is where tree & shrub care is helpful.

Some palms don’t require pruning at all! Many mature trees will naturally drop their leaves when they’re dead and brown. Just be sure not to leave dead fronds on a tree when its falling palms could cause injuries. Before a hurricane, remove dead palm fronds so they don’t become harmful projectiles when winds pick up. Only remove dead fronds.

Sometimes a living palm frond can look dead – when it’s suffering from a vitamin K deficiency. In that case, it’s better to leave it on the tree. Dead fronds will droop way down, whereas nutrient deficient stalks will look half-dead or discolored.

Clean your tools before pruning. Diseases can be transferred from plant to plant on your clippers. Be careful when you prune. There may be some unfriendly animals residing in your palms – like rats, snakes, spiders and scorpions. If you’d rather not mess with those guys, you can always call Larue Pest Management for help with tree & shrub care.

If you don’t want to deal with falling coconuts, trim the flowers off your palm before they bloom. It won’t hurt the tree.

Larue’s tree & shrub care program controls palm bud weevils and also ensures that your palm trees are properly fertilized. Be sure to ask about their citrus care services too.

Now that you’ve learned how to properly care for your lawn, trees, and shrubs, you’ll know what it feels like to be on the other side of the fence where the grass is greener. You’ll be the envy of the town when your neighbors see your beautiful, healthy yard!